If you’re looking into a McLean Virginia zip code, you’re probably either moving for a job at the CIA, eyeing a house near Tysons, or just trying to figure out why your GPS is acting weird. It’s one of those places that feels like a single town but behaves like three different worlds. People talk about McLean like it’s just one block of mansions, but honestly, the zip codes tell a much more complicated story about Northern Virginia’s weird geography.
McLean is fancy. Everyone knows that. But the actual logistics of the mail here? That's where things get a bit messy for the uninitiated.
The Big Three: Understanding 22101, 22102, and 22106
Most people think there is just one McLean Virginia zip code. There isn't.
You’ve mainly got 22101 and 22102. Then there is 22106, which is basically just for P.O. boxes. If you live in 22101, you’re likely in the "old money" part of town. This is the area closer to the Potomac River, where the trees are massive and the driveways are long. It’s where you’ll find Langley—yeah, that Langley—and Chain Bridge Road. It’s quiet. It feels like the woods, even though you’re ten minutes from D.C.
Then you have 22102.
This zip code is the powerhouse. It covers a huge chunk of Tysons (formerly Tysons Corner, but they’re trying to drop the "Corner" to sound more urban). If you’re living in a high-rise apartment with a view of a Capital One building, you’re in 22102. It’s high-energy, it’s full of traffic, and it’s arguably the economic engine of the entire state of Virginia. The vibe shift between these two codes is wild. One is silent and residential; the other is all glass, steel, and $15 salads.
Why the Post Office Address Can Be Deceptive
Here is something that trips up everyone: the "McLean" name.
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You might have an address that says "McLean, VA 22102," but you're actually looking at a building in Tysons. For years, Tysons didn't really have its own identity as a "city" in the eyes of the USPS. It was just a neighborhood within McLean or Vienna. Even now, residents and businesses often use "McLean" on their letterhead because it carries a certain prestige that "Tysons" hasn't quite caught up to yet, despite the massive development.
Geography is weird here.
The boundaries aren't clean lines. You can walk across a street and suddenly your zip code flips, and your property value might jump or dip based on which school district that specific McLean Virginia zip code feeds into. Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are some of the best in the country, but even within McLean, people obsess over the difference between being zoned for McLean High School versus Langley High School.
The Wealth Gap Within the Zip Codes
We need to talk about the money. It's unavoidable in Northern Virginia.
According to various IRS data sets and Bloomberg rankings over the last few years, 22101 consistently ranks as one of the wealthiest zip codes in the United States. We are talking about median household incomes that frequently double or triple the national average. But it’s not just about high salaries. It’s about the concentration of power. This is the home of diplomats, lobbyists, tech CEOs, and high-ranking government officials.
But 22102 isn't exactly "poor."
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It’s just different. While 22101 is dominated by single-family estates, 22102 has a much higher density of luxury rentals and condos. It’s where the younger consultants and tech workers live before they move "across the pike" to the bigger houses once they have kids. It’s a transitionary zip code, whereas 22101 is usually the "I’ve made it" destination.
The 22106 Mystery
Nobody lives in 22106. Not really.
If you see this McLean Virginia zip code, it’s almost certainly a P.O. box at the McLean post station on Elm Street. Businesses use it. People who want a layer of privacy use it. In a town where half the residents have some level of security clearance or a high public profile, having a 22106 address is a common way to keep a home address off the public record. It’s a small detail, but in the world of Northern Virginia power players, it’s a standard move.
Real Estate Reality Check
If you're hunting for a home, you have to be careful with search filters.
If you just type "McLean" into Zillow or Redfin, you’re going to get a mix of everything. You’ll see a $400,000 studio condo and a $25 million riverfront estate in the same list.
- 22101 is where you go for the "Gold Coast." Think homes on the Potomac. Think proximity to the GW Parkway.
- 22102 is where you go for the Tysons lifestyle. Think walking to the Metro, hitting the Boro for a movie, and being close to the Silver Line.
- Great Falls (22066) often gets lumped in with McLean conversations, but it’s a separate beast further west with even more land and even fewer sidewalks.
Traffic in these zip codes is a literal nightmare. Don't let the short distances fool you. Getting from the heart of 22101 to the malls in 22102 during rush hour can take thirty minutes, even though it’s only a few miles. Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd) is the main artery, and it is almost always clogged. If you're moving here, your zip code determines which side of the traffic jam you'll be stuck on.
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Schools and Logistics
It's basically a local sport here to compare the schools.
The 22101 zip code mostly feeds into Langley High, while 22102 can be a mix, often hitting McLean High. Both are incredible. Both are high-stress. The academic competition in these zip codes is intense—some would say too intense. You’ll see kids at the McLean Starbucks (the one on Chain Bridge Rd) studying like their lives depend on it at 9:00 PM on a Tuesday.
Is there a "bad" part? Honestly, no. Not in the traditional sense. But there are "loud" parts. If you pick a house in 22102 near the Dulles Toll Road or the 495 Interchange, you’re going to hear the hum of the city 24/7. If you want silence, you pay the premium for the deep interior of 22101.
Actionable Steps for Navigating McLean
If you are planning a move or setting up a business in this area, don't just rely on the "McLean" label. You need to look closer at the specific digits.
- Verify the School Map: Use the Fairfax County Boundary Locator. Never trust a real estate listing that says "McLean Schools"—check the specific address to see if it’s Langley or McLean High, as this affects resale value significantly.
- Commute Testing: If you’re looking at a property in 22101, drive to your office at 8:00 AM on a Tuesday. The "back roads" in McLean are notorious for "no thru traffic" signs and heavy enforcement.
- Understand the Tysons Tax: Many 22102 addresses are subject to the Tysons Service District tax, a small additional real estate tax used to fund infrastructure in the urban core. It's not much, but it's a surprise for some.
- Check the 22103/22107/22108/22109 Codes: These are specialized zip codes used for huge corporate entities or specific government agencies. If you see these on a piece of mail, it’s usually for a major institution (like Gannett or a government wing), not a person.
The McLean Virginia zip code you choose defines your daily life. Whether you want the quiet, wooded privacy of 22101 or the sleek, convenient urbanism of 22102, knowing the difference saves you a lot of headache. McLean is a powerhouse, but it’s a powerhouse with two very different faces.